“I hope Big Perk doesn’t get mad at me for saying this; I had to call him yesterday and talk him a little off the edge ’cause he wanted to hurt somebody.” On First Take, Stephen A. Smith addressed the statements from Charles Barkley against Perkins. SAS defended ESPN and its methods to promote the game while questioning Chuck’s antics. The 57-year-old continued the debate on his YouTube show and ended the feud. But not before sending a few jabs across.

“But that’s because he does television as opposed to actually knowing it. Meaning knowing what storylines resonate on a day-to-day basis. I’m not taking a shot at them; I’m just telling you, the brother is preoccupied; he’s got golf, he got gamble, he’s got a whole bunch of stuff that he loves to do. He lives his best life.” The veteran ESPN broadcaster suggested that Charles Barkley is not tuned to storylines that generate viewership.

Further implies that the 76ers legend is working 2 days, and that’s why there is a disconnect. “He ain’t working every day; that’s not what he does.” Despite the feud, SAS has no ill feelings for Sir Charles and calls him “brother” and urges everyone else to calm down. “It’s my brother. I love Charles Barkley- love him to death.” Despite calling the 11x All-Star brother, Smith previously gave a reality check on current media knowledge.

Stephen A. Smith even said he didn’t agree with Perkins’ statement about the Lakers saving the NBA. But that remark has some truth. “You trying to tell me that Luka and the Lakers potentially making a championship run isn’t a relevant storyline? Of course it matters, that’s how it goes.” SAS then asked Charles Barkley if LeBron James, facing his former team, the Cavaliers, in the Finals, makes it a must-watch story. The finals will have more meaning since LeBron could potentially win his 5th title, tying it with Kobe Bryant and achieving that goal at the age of 40. That would skyrocket him in the GOAT debate.

“He (LeBron) is officially the goat over Michael Jordan. You trying to tell me that nobody would care about those storylines? Maybe Barkley would say they don’t.” Stephen A. Smith suggested that the fans will like the above story since Charles Barkley is not high on the Lakers; the 1993 MVP will not be on board, with Laker Nation succeeding. But it’s not new that Sir Charles has taken a shot at ESPN and their coverage.

Looking back at other instances of Charles Barkley ripping into his future employer

Remember when the Auburn alumnus was ready to retire from his broadcasting career? At the time, questions swirled about him joining ESPN, but he quickly shut them down. Also, took a shot at their overworked schedule. “They’re not gonna work me like a dog.” However, since the new media deal, TNT lost the rights to the games from the next season and also the beloved Inside the NBA. ESPN then made sure to license the Emmy-winning show on their network.

Despite the new deal, Charles Barkley is not a fan of the network. It was evident once again when he called out Kendrick Perkins for suggesting that the Lakers saved the NBA season.” He an idiot and a fool, he know who he is. Kendrick Perkins…The fools on the other network (ESPN), which we’re going to be working for next year.” Even last year, the 76ers legend was happy with the rival network hyping up the Lakers during the NBA finals.

“I was so pissed yesterday, I had to turn my TV off…This is how stupid they are. Y’all got the Stanley Cup Finals and the NBA Finals and y’all talking about a team that’s irrelevant.” Sir Charles turned his TV off since ESPN was focusing on Dan Hurley, who was reportedly in talks to become the head coach for the Lakers rather than the NBA Finals and Stanley Cup Finals.

It will be quite an adjustment for Charles Barkley at the network he hates. It will be interesting to see if he follows ESPN’s narrative of supporting the Lakers like Stephen A. Smith suggested or if the TNT analyst continues to defy the orders.